webfact Posted November 18, 2018 Share Posted November 18, 2018 More foreign visitors reported after free visa scheme BANGKOK, 19 November 2018, (NNT) - Thailand’s northern provinces have seen an increase in the number of foreign visitors, thanks to the government’s free visa on arrival campaign. Wiwat Piyawiroj , Executive Vice President of Commercial at Thai Airways International Public Company Ltd, said the free visa on arrival scheme for 21 nationalities has boosted the number of foreign visitors in Thailand’s north, particularly in the tourist cities of Chiang Rai and Chiang Mai. He noted that more Thai Airways flights have been booked by Chinese passport holders as many of them will be celebrating the Loi Krathong Festival and New Year in Thailand. Another contributor to the increase in the number of foreign visitors is the secondary destination campaign which offers tour packages to lesser-known attractions, according to Wiwat. He added that the national flag carrier is conducting a feasibility study on its return to the US market with a possibility of adding direct flights to American cities, following a report that the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) is planning to upgrade the Thai aviation sector to Category 1. Thailand was downgraded to Category 2 in 2015 because of its failure to comply with international safety standards. The downgrade prohibits Thai carriers from adding new routes or expanding existing services to the world’s top aviation markets such as the US. -- nnt 2018-11-19 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
colinneil Posted November 18, 2018 Share Posted November 18, 2018 What a load of nonsense. Last week it is announced that the tourist visas would be free for a short time, suddenly tourist numbers increase. So tourists suddenly change their travel plans because of this BS. Just more brain dead nonsense. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Oziex1 Posted November 18, 2018 Share Posted November 18, 2018 Yep, announce free visa today and tommorow the crowds arrive. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mok199 Posted November 18, 2018 Share Posted November 18, 2018 TAT is in sheer ''panic mode''..... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Oziex1 Posted November 19, 2018 Share Posted November 19, 2018 It should also be mentioned that as the I'll fated tourist boat The Phoenix was raised, tourist confidence soared, look out theyre on their way. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
stanleycoin Posted November 19, 2018 Share Posted November 19, 2018 I think they are telling porky pies, again Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
simoh1490 Posted November 19, 2018 Share Posted November 19, 2018 You would expect the number of visitors to the North to increase at this time of the year and historically they always have, the weather is cooler, Loy Kratong in Chiang Mai is a big deal, camping in the mountains is very very popular plus it's strawberry season and the farms are already seeing increased traffic as a result....this is not news. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
grumbleweed Posted November 19, 2018 Share Posted November 19, 2018 Quote More foreign visitors reported after free Thailand visa scheme I'm sure, being attracted by a free visa, they'll be of the big spending variety Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
realfunster Posted November 19, 2018 Share Posted November 19, 2018 Colin's about right on this one, I seriously doubt that such a recently announced visa waiver will make such a short-term impact, especially in 1-2 weeks since announced. An upturn in numbers may arise in a few weeks’ time , but if cutting a 1-2k visa fee is seen as a significant concession, then you must question the overall value to the economy of tourists who would be swayed by the removal of such a small burden. It would be progress of a sort if the TAT/government at least tried to raise standards, service & therefore prices, and start edging Thailand towards the middle/upper sector of the Chinese tourism market, rather than just focusing on Chinese mass market headcount. Once a destination has a low-end mass tourism reputation, it is hard to reverse that perception. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
simoh1490 Posted November 19, 2018 Share Posted November 19, 2018 1 minute ago, realfunster said: Colin's about right on this one, I seriously doubt that such a recently announced visa waiver will make such a short-term impact, especially in 1-2 weeks since announced. An upturn in numbers may arise in a few weeks’ time , but if cutting a 1-2k visa fee is seen as a significant concession, then you must question the overall value to the economy of tourists who would be swayed by the removal of such a small burden. It would be progress of a sort if the TAT/government at least tried to raise standards, service & therefore prices, and start edging Thailand towards the middle/upper sector of the Chinese tourism market, rather than just focusing on Chinese mass market headcount. Once a destination has a low-end mass tourism reputation, it is hard to reverse that perception. Why do you think Thailand is focussing just on the Chinese mass market? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
fruitman Posted November 19, 2018 Share Posted November 19, 2018 Those chinese farmers suddenly stopped working and went on holiday because now they don't need a visa since a week? Sure mate! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
stevew407 Posted November 19, 2018 Share Posted November 19, 2018 4 minutes ago, simoh1490 said: Why do you think Thailand is focussing just on the Chinese mass market? very interesting article and commrnts but as always where is the real or fake news and sources and perceptions and perspectives? How do I meet or have I mrt Rooster? Others? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
dotpoom Posted November 19, 2018 Share Posted November 19, 2018 I was looking for a "positive" reaction ...but gave up. Methinks many on here are not happy people ..unless they have something to "grumble" about...even when the subject matter has nothing at all to do with them? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
simoh1490 Posted November 19, 2018 Share Posted November 19, 2018 8 minutes ago, stevew407 said: very interesting article and commrnts but as always where is the real or fake news and sources and perceptions and perspectives? How do I meet or have I mrt Rooster? Others? What is very real is that there are more tourists in the North this month than last month, I know this to be fact because I live near a major road which I use daily that carries traffic from Chiang Mai to a series of nearby tourist destinations as well as being a prime arterial route to other tourist destinations to the North of me. As for Rooster: if you want a date, PM him, you never know. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
BestB Posted November 19, 2018 Share Posted November 19, 2018 So is increase because of high season or because of free visa’s????????????? amd if 2000 baht was the reason for not coming , now that its waived how much of a “ quality tourist” are they????? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
KiChakayan Posted November 19, 2018 Share Posted November 19, 2018 1 hour ago, colinneil said: What a load of nonsense. Last week it is announced that the tourist visas would be free for a short time, suddenly tourist numbers increase. So tourists suddenly change their travel plans because of this BS. Just more brain dead nonsense. Yeah, I stopped using my downstairs air conditioner yesterday and today the planet's average temperature dropped by 0.5 centigrade... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
CLW Posted November 19, 2018 Share Posted November 19, 2018 Wow that was quickly. What a load of nonsense. And before people flying in from the US with Thai Airways there are tons of other, cheaper alternatives. Waiting for Air Asia to fly to US mainland after they have the permission for Honululu already. There are rumours since some time ago that they are planning that. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
AhFarangJa Posted November 19, 2018 Share Posted November 19, 2018 13 minutes ago, dotpoom said: I was looking for a "positive" reaction ...but gave up. Methinks many on here are not happy people ..unless they have something to "grumble" about...even when the subject matter has nothing at all to do with them? I beg to differ, there are many members on here who have businesses that rely on tourism, my family included. Low tourist numbers, and an artificially high Baht affect us a lot. Maybe not the Chinese so much, but still a significant number to realise there is a big problem here, and TAT just spin it to make themselves look good... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
neeray Posted November 19, 2018 Share Posted November 19, 2018 The increase must consist of all Cheap Charlies. Big deal! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
happy chappie Posted November 19, 2018 Share Posted November 19, 2018 Just shows the shit spin the Thai government spills out and expects the general public to believe it and they probably do but here on thai visa we are not the general public if you know what I mean. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
worgeordie Posted November 19, 2018 Share Posted November 19, 2018 The hoards must have been massed at the borders waiting for the free visa, it comes into force and they all pour in,TAT have done it again, Amazing Thailand. regards worgeordie Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Emster23 Posted November 19, 2018 Share Posted November 19, 2018 Cause and effect relationship? As pointed out, high season is coming.... Also note absence of any numbers.... More? how much more? 1? 100,000? This is sheer puffery. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mikebell Posted November 19, 2018 Share Posted November 19, 2018 Bad farangs out; good Chinese in. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
realfunster Posted November 19, 2018 Share Posted November 19, 2018 35 minutes ago, simoh1490 said: Why do you think Thailand is focussing just on the Chinese mass market? Fair enough, ‘‘twas poorly worded, however, Chinese mass market is clearly a major focus area. Tourist numbers grew steadily from around 11m in 2002 to 16m in 2010. From 2010 to 2017 they grew to 35m. Over the same time frame Chinese visitors have grown from less than 1m to 10m. Of the 20 countries given Visa fee waivers recently, only China and to a much lesser extent India (1m visitors per annum) were of any significance to the tourist market. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ezzra Posted November 19, 2018 Share Posted November 19, 2018 2 hours ago, colinneil said: What a load of nonsense. Last week it is announced that the tourist visas would be free for a short time, suddenly tourist numbers increase. So tourists suddenly change their travel plans because of this BS. Just more brain dead nonsense. I don't see what's the problem here, i take everything the Thai government says to be the gospel truth and believe every figures and news they put out to be honest and correct and i can't understand why others don't see it my way..( i was promised a free Elite visa if i say this on a social media)... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
HiSoLowSoNoSo Posted November 19, 2018 Share Posted November 19, 2018 If they lower the cost of Mamma noodles in 7/11 there will be millions of Chinese coming next week. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
LazySlipper Posted November 19, 2018 Share Posted November 19, 2018 1 hour ago, mok199 said: TAT is in sheer ''panic mode''..... Somehow I doubt that. Would I like to see the Thai bht crash??? Yes prolly the same who have pensions from abroad and have been losing big for the last 6 years. However, I really fail to believe that the tourist industry in Thailand will ever suffer, no matter how much many would like it to. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
grego49 Posted November 19, 2018 Share Posted November 19, 2018 Most people plan their holidays and travel well ln advance,this has to be one of the biggest BS stories from TAT yet. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
NextStationBangkok Posted November 19, 2018 Share Posted November 19, 2018 We failed to notice the file picture. ???? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
NextStationBangkok Posted November 19, 2018 Share Posted November 19, 2018 31 minutes ago, mikebell said: Bad farangs out; good Chinese in. You are inciting a war between tissue paper and water. ???? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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